February 21 teaches showing respect to all mother languages

Among the many glorious chapters in our national life, the National Martyrs' Day stands out as one of the most significant. To this day, regardless of political affiliation, everyone observes the day with solemn respect. Just as some miscreants have tried to question our Liberation War, there has been no such attempt with regard to National Martyrs' Day, and we consider this to be a stroke of luck. The language movement of 1952 marked the birth of our independence movement. The movement was not just about demanding Bengali as a mother language, but it was about demanding the recognition of Bengali as the state language of Pakistan.

The blood that stained the streets on February 21, 1952, in the fight for recognition of Bengali as the state language of Pakistan eventually flowed into the Liberation War of 1971. The state language movement gradually transformed into the dream of an independent nation. Since independence, February 21 has been observed as National Martyrs' Day. In 1999, when UNESCO recognized February 21 as International Mother Language Day, its significance increased further. Now, February 21 is observed as International Language Day in almost all countries around the world.

However, it must also be noted that, no matter how reverently we observe this day, the right to make Bengali the state language has not yet been fully achieved, nor has the widespread use of Bengali been established at all levels. It is a matter of grief that we have not yet been able to expand education in Bengali, and that our language has been disrespected in various ways in our dramas, films, arts, and literature. Every year when February 21 arrives, there is a collective outcry about the degradation of the Bengali language, the distortion of its form, and the need to prevent such distortion. But how does language get "polluted"? It's not simply because of incorrect pronunciation or speaking in regional dialects instead of standard pronunciation.

The pollution of language is a deeper issue. Language becomes corrupted primarily through the degradation of our own culture, because the very structure of language is rooted in culture. In the age of globalisation and sky-high cultural influence, our native culture faces threats in many forms. Nearly 400 years ago, the medieval poet Abdul Hakim wrote, "Je Sabe Bangeto Janmi Hingse Bangabani, Se Sab Janmo Kahar Nirnoy Na Jani (Those born in Bengal who disdain the Bengali language— I do not know whose offspring they are)." This statement still holds true in various ways today. Even 70 years ago, a section of the people in this country was so hostile towards the Bengali language that they wanted to write Bengali in Arabic-Persian script.

Even today, many are forcefully introducing Arabic and English words into the Bengali language. But this is not all; we still haven’t been able to foster the study of knowledge, science, and philosophy through the Bengali language. There are various psychological and political aspects of language that we have failed to uncover and expand upon. We often speak of the spirit of February 21, but what does that spirit really mean? The essence of February 21 is not bowing down—bowing down to whom? To any injustice, oppression, or tyranny. However, we have failed to establish Bengali as the language of everyday use at every level, which is a major injustice. And in the face of this injustice, we have bowed down our heads.

Every year, as February 21 approaches, these issues are discussed, yet year after year, no meaningful steps are taken to improve the Bengali language. If we truly respect the language martyrs, we must not limit February 21 to mere formalities; we need to understand its core meaning. We must ensure the promotion of Bengali across all sectors of the state, from education to government and private institutions. Not just Bengali, but all the mother tongues within Bangladesh should be developed. Education should be provided in every individual's mother tongue. Establishing equal respect for all mother languages is the true lesson of February 21.